Presented with Japan Foundation in Sydney Shifts in Japanese Materiality is an exhibition of contemporary design practice which considers the changing nature of materiality in Japanese object-making culture.

The exhibition highlights the porosity of Japanese design and craft processes in a contemporary context through the work of experimental Japanese and Australian designers. From lacquerware and ceramics through to jewellery, the works will explore the changing creative practices and material landscape born out of cross-cultural dialogue and transnational influences.

By illuminating the relationships between materials, processes, training and contemporary practice, this exhibition shares a contemporary narrative of Japanese materiality.

Experience the process of Japanese lacquerware design first-hand and learn about the craft of lacquer and eggshell inlay in this workshop led by Bic Tieu. You will work with eggshell and lacquer to overlay a pendant form and create a pattern with these materials. The workshop will give you insight into this traditional craft and a better understanding of the surface language of lacquerware while using natural materials specific to Japan.

Allergy warning: participants will be exposed to duck eggshells and Japanese lacquer containing rhus succedaneum. While safety protocols will be in place, please be aware of the exposure if you have an allergy to these materials.

Join exhibiting designers Julie Bartholomew, Guy Keulemans, Yusuke Takemura and Bic Tieu in discussing the influence of Japanese materiality in their contemporary practices. In dialogue with exhibition Shifts in Japanese Materiality, this panel talk will share the experiences and processes of object designers, spanning ceramics, glass, lacquerware, and jewellery.

Japanese materiality is often considered untouched and bound to tradition, but contemporary object design practice expands the long history of porous global influences and highlights the fluid nature of Japanese materiality.